Adelaidean
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NEWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Volume 12 • Number 11 • December 2003
inside this issue
PAGE 7
Olivia’s a model
student with
a taste for
gastronomy
Why Guy’s our idol
PAGE 9
Chess masters
make a move for
championship
PAGE 13
Wheat crop has
added health
benefits
PAGE 19
Thirty years on,
the mystery
solved
PAGE 2
It’s a summer of
love… for study!
PAGE 4
China’s chief scientist
opens lab in Adelaide
PAGE 10 Concern over killer lung
disease levels among
smokers
Before becoming a national
star, Guy Sebastian grabbed
the attention of classmates
at the University of Adelaide
Photo courtesy of BMG
Music Australia
World-class drug and
alcohol research
centre opens
PAGE 15 Hot flowers – sexy
rewards
PAGE 16 Love of sport vaults
Jennifer to success
PAGE 20 Mitchell’s study going
Australian Idol Guy Sebastian gave the University
of Adelaide a taste of his undoubted musical
talents earlier this year – as a student.
swimmingly
While most students wait until
they’ve finished their studies before
making a name for themselves,
Guy has gone from studying at the
university’s prestigious Elder School
of Music to becoming a national star
—and all within a matter of months!
The University of Adelaide
is Australia’s third oldest
university and is known
internationally for excellence
in research and teaching.
www.adelaide.edu.au
Along the way he’s earned the praise
of former classmates and staff at the
Elder School.
Australian Idol, watched weekly
by millions of television viewers
nationwide, has provided Guy with a
lucrative recording contract, a high
profile and a ready-made fan base
eager for more of his vocal talents.
Technology. But events overtook
his studies, and he took time off to
pursue his Australian Idol dream.
The 22-year-old music teacher and
recording engineer had been studying
as part of the Vocational Education
and Training (VET) program at the
Elder School of Music. VET offers
hands-on, pre-degree courses as
a thorough grounding for further
music studies.
According to Elder School of Music
lecturer Dr Mark Carroll, those
in Guy’s class were unexpectedly
treated to a marvellous showcase of
his ability earlier this year.
Specifically, Guy was enrolled in
the Certificate IV program in Music
“Guy was fairly low key around the
place—the quiet guy with the beanie
and the ’fro,” Dr Carroll said.
continued on page 6
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
It’s a summer of love… for study!
The University of Adelaide Summer School is now
a natural part of Adelaide’s vibrant summer life.
With this season offering up events
such as the Adelaide Festival
of Arts, Writers’ Week and the
Fringe Festival (with its Hub at the
University of Adelaide), why not
continue the theme of personal
inspiration, intellectual stimulation
and enjoyment by taking part in our
Summer School?
The Summer School is a unique
offering of intensive and/or short
degree courses, preparatory
courses, special interest and
professional update courses, all
offered during the summer months.
Anyone can enrol in the Summer
School, with classes open to
current and commencing University
of Adelaide students, students from
other universities and members of
the community.
Adelaidean
Editor:
David Ellis
Writers:
Ben Osborne, Howard Salkow,
David Ellis
Design and Layout:
Chris Tonkin
Contributors:
Dr Stephanie Agius, Nicole Stones, Kim
McBride, Benjamin Leske
Printed by:
Lane Print Group
Distribution:
Lane Print Group
Passing Out Distribution Co.
Advertising:
KRL Media
Tel: +61 8 8231 5433
Fax: +61 8 8212 1238
Email: [email protected]
Coming Events:
Please send all coming events to the editor
at the address below. There is no charge
for coming events, but they must be
university related.
Deadline for next issue:
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Room G07 Mitchell Building,
South Australia, 5005.
Tel: +61 8 8303 5174
Fax: +61 8 8303 4838
Email: [email protected]
www.adelaide.edu.au/pr/publications/
Adelaidean/
Material may be reproduced without
permission but acknowledgement must be
given to the Adelaidean.
Registered by Australia Post
No 565001/00046
“Our Summer School reflects
the University of Adelaide’s
commitment to flexibility in
education, and a responsiveness
to changing student, community
and business needs,” said Liz
Pryzibilla, Director of the Centre
for Professional & Continuing
Education, which coordinates the
Summer School.
For instance, the University of
Adelaide’s academic faculties offer
a range of short award and nonaward courses during the summer
break. These courses provide
new and advancing University
of Adelaide students, as well as
students from other local, national
and international universities, with
greater flexibility in their studies.
“Whatever your age, whatever
your qualifications, you’ll find
opportunities to expand your
knowledge and skills at the
Summer School.
“These students now have an
opportunity to spread their
workload over the whole year,
accelerate their degree, pick up
prerequisites, re-take a subject or
have time to study subjects outside
the normal range of their degree,”
Ms Pryzibilla said.
“Each course offers a vibrant
learning atmosphere leading
to a rewarding and enriching
experience. We have an
exceptional selection of courses to
choose from,” she said.
“As the Summer School develops we
aim to offer an even bigger range
of award and non-award courses,
drawing on the resources of every
faculty in the university.”
In addition, members of the public
will again be drawn to the wide
selection of short courses over
summer that are open to everyone.
These include a range of Intensive
Language courses catering from
the beginner to the advanced
learner, one-day Professional and
Personal Development courses,
Year 12 Summer holiday courses,
and special interest community
courses.
To find the course that best
suits your needs or interests,
phone (08) 8303 4777 or visit
the Summer School website:
www.adelaide.edu.au/summerschool
Wine Centre remains open to public
The University of Adelaide has responded to public
demand and extended free entry to the National
Wine Centre until the end of January 2004.
Mr Mark Szolga, the university’s
Commercial Director, said the
institution was keeping its initial
promise by making the centre
accessible to the public.
In announcing the acquisition, ViceChancellor Professor James McWha
said the National Wine Centre would
provide improved links with the wine
industry and would enhance the
university’s position in Australia and
globally “as the leading Australian
wine educator”.
“It also offers unique marketing
opportunities and much needed
space for the expansion of our winerelated programs,” Professor McWha
said.
“When we announced the acquisition
in February, we said a major objective
was to engage Adelaidians and
provide them the opportunity to
explore one of the city’s true icons,”
Mr Szolga said.
“Since opening the centre to the
public in September, we have
received fantastic support from
the people of Adelaide. This has
prompted us to extend free entry
through the summer holiday period
giving people the opportunity to visit
the centre.”
Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha
at the National Wine Centre
Photo by David Ellis
indefinite free entry. In October
more than 5000 people visited
the centre.
In February this year the university
agreed to lease the National
Wine Centre for $1 million for 40
years from the South Australian
Government. The university moved
into the wine centre on September 1.
Visitation to the wine centre
has significantly increased since
September and Mr Szolga said
consideration is being given to
2
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
Students already winning from
racing car competition
University of Adelaide students are revving up for an
international car design and racing competition.
An Adelaide team involving third-year
Mechanical Engineering students
will compete in this year’s Formula
SAE-A competition, being held from
December 4-7.
The competition pits students from
around the world against each other
in the design, construction and
racing of their own formula-style,
open-wheeled racing cars.
Formula SAE member
Donny Pascale with
President and CEO
of Mitsubishi Motors
Australia Tom Philips
Photo by Ben Osborne
Hosted by Mitsubishi Motors
Australia, the competition will be
held at the company’s Tailem Bend
testing site.
Teams from 21 universities from
Australia, the United States,
Germany, Sweden and Japan will
compete for honours at the event.
The official launch of this year’s
Formula SAE-A competition was
held last month at the University of
Adelaide.
Speaking at the launch, President and
CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Australia
Tom Philips said the competition
gave Australian car makers
the opportunity to see the best
engineering talent in Australia.
“Mitsubishi has a strong belief in
the value of education and hands-on
experience,” Mr Philips said. “These
are outcomes we believe students
should be exposed to at university.
“Formula SAE gives Mitsubishi
and other representatives from the
automotive industry the opportunity
to spread our contribution over
a large number of enthusiastic
students.
been held in Australia, and the first
time in South Australia.
Executive Director of SAE Australasia
Stuart Charity said the studentdesigned cars are judged in a range
of categories, including design, fuel
economy and endurance.
“All future employers benefit from
Formula SAE being the catalyst
which exposes those students
with the ability and the passion
to succeed.”
“Students working on these vehicles
represent the leaders of the next
generation of engineers that will
help guide and shape the future of
Australia’s car industry,” Mr Charity
said.
Formula SAE gets its name
from the Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE), which began in
the United States in 1980. The
SAE-A competition represents the
Australasian arm of the Society. This
is the fourth year the competition has
“Formula SAE offers young engineers
the opportunity to work on a
meaningful, complex engineering
project in a dedicated team
environment.”
The university now has enough space
to accommodate 200 students in
wine sensory evaluation classes, and
the centre’s Busby Hall has already
been used for this purpose.
The University of Adelaide currently
offers 20 wine-related courses, and
more than 780 students, including 30
international students, were enrolled
last year. There are undergraduate
and postgraduate courses.
The wine centre will continue to cater
to special events and conferences.
Story by Howard Salkow
3
Students manage the entire project,
including scheduling, budgeting,
fundraising and cost control,
sourcing equipment, materials and
components, manufacturing and
testing.
The University of Adelaide is the only
South Australian university to have a
team in this year’s event.
The Adelaide team faces tough
competition from Rochester Institute
of Technology, the Georgia Institute
of Technology and Auburn University
from the US, Chalmers University
from Sweden and Tokyo Denkai
University from Japan, among others.
Around 400 students and 150
volunteers are involved this year.
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
China’s chief scientist opens lab
in Adelaide
China’s most senior
scientist has opened a
new soil environment
laboratory during his
visit to the University
of Adelaide.
The new laboratory of Soil Biology/
Soil Environmental Science has
been jointly established between
the University of Adelaide and the
Chinese Academy of Sciences,
with a new lab at the university’s
Waite Campus and its “twin” at
the Chinese Academy’s Research
Center for Eco-Environmental
Sciences in Beijing.
It is the first joint facility of its kind
between China and Australia.
The President of the Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Professor Lu
Yongxiang, headed a delegation to
Australia last month.
Professor Lu, who is also a
Vice-Chairman of the Standing
Committee of the National People’s
Congress (the highest organ
of State power of the People’s
Republic of China), officially
opened the new laboratory at
the Plant Research Centre,
Waite Campus.
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Talented pianist wins Galliver award
Student pianist Michael Ierace
was the major winner in
this year’s prestigious David
Galliver Memorial Awards.
The awards, held as the final Elder
School of Music Lunch Hour Concert
for 2003, are given to honour the
memory of Professor David Galliver,
who served as the fifth Elder
Professor of Music between 1966 and
1983, and who died in 2001.
Professor Lu speaking
at the official launch of
the new laboratory
Photo by David Ellis
A third-year Bachelor of Music
(Performance) student, Ierace
was chosen ahead of three other
Bachelor of Music students,
and received $1200.
The launch was attended by senior
managers and scientists from
the University of Adelaide and
its collaborating partners, and
several key guests including South
Australian Environment Minister
Mr John Hill.
“Our soil scientists are working
on several key research projects
that are of major interest to our
countries’ agricultural industries,
as well as moves to improve the
overall environmental condition of
our soils,” she said.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Professor Edwina Cornish said
the University of Adelaide was
extremely pleased to welcome
Professor Lu and his delegation.
During his visit to the University
of Adelaide Professor Lu toured
facilities at the Waite Campus, and
he and members of his delegation
also learnt more about the
university’s research capabilities
in nanotechnology and molecular
biosciences at the North Terrace
Campus.
“Professor Lu’s visit is indicative
of the closer research links
between the university and the
Chinese Academy that will result in
significant gains in environmental
research of benefit to both Australia
and China.
Professor Lu gave a well-attended
free public lecture, in which he
explored the Chinese Academy’s
role in the development of science
and technology in China.
Professor Lu said he was impressed
with the quality of the facilities
at the University of Adelaide
and by the potential for further
collaboration across a range
of disciplines.
“Australia and China are
facing similar changes in our
environments, and research that
is conducted in both our countries
can have many potential benefits
not just for us but also for the AsiaPacific region,” Professor Lu said.
Story by David Ellis
Honorary professorship awarded
China’s most senior scientist has
been awarded the title of Honorary
Professor in the Faculty of Sciences
at the University of Adelaide.
“The title is in recognition of his international
contributions to the sciences and to the academic life
of the University of Adelaide through the promotion of
greater friendship and collaboration between our Faculty
of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
“We look forward to many years of association
between Professor Lu and the university, and
we are keen to explore new partnerships and
research initiatives with China.
“We are honoured that Professor Lu has been
able to visit the University of Adelaide this
month to build upon the links that have
already been established between our
two institutions.”
The title was formally bestowed upon
Professor Lu Yongxiang (pictured, right)
during his visit to the University of
Adelaide last month.
“The award of this title to Professor Lu
recognises the important association
between the University of Adelaide and
the Chinese Academy of Sciences,”
the university’s Chancellor, Mr Robert
Champion de Crespigny (left), said.
4
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
For the final, he gave impressive
renditions of Ravel’s “Ondine”,
from Gaspard de la Nuit and
Rachmaninov’s Prelude in B flat
(Opus 23, Number 2).
Second place in the awards went
to third-year marimba player Paul
Butler, who performed Zivkovic’s
Ultimatum I for Solo Marimba
(Op 24 No 1).
The other two finalists were thirdyear flautist Alex Castle, who
performed the third movement from
Ibert’s Concerto for Flute and
Orchestra and the fourth movement
from Muczynski’s Sonata for Flute
and Piano (Op 14); and soprano
Jessica Dean, who performed
Fauré’s Mandoline (Op 58, No 1),
Handel’s “E pur così and Piangerò
la sorte mia” from Julius Caesar
and Schubert’s Die Männer sind
mechant.
A new series of Elder Hall Lunch
Hour Concerts will begin on Friday,
March 19, 2004.
Michael Ierace performing at the David Galliver Memorial Awards
Photo by Chris Koch
Macquarie Trio
The Adelaidean is giving away
a quartet of double-passes to
see the Macquarie Trio!
The Macquarie Trio Australia has announced its 2004
Adelaide subscription season, and you can help them
celebrate by winning two tickets to each Adelaide concert.
In 2004 the Trio—comprising Kathryn Selby (piano),
Nicholas Milton (violin) and Michael Goldschlager
(cello)—will have four subscription concerts in Adelaide,
all at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Hall.
One lucky reader has the chance to win a double pass to
each Adelaide concert. In total, the double-passes are
valued at more than $260, which makes them ideal as a
gift for the musically minded this Christmas.
The four Adelaide concerts next year are:
2.30pm Sunday, May 30
From Here to Eternity (Beethoven, Granados and
Messiaen) with special guest artist Paul Dean on clarinet
2.30pm Sunday, August 1
The Power of Three (Sibelius, Beethoven and Dvorák)
2.30pm Sunday, September 26
First Impressions (Schumann, Korngold and Fauré) with
special guest artist Brett Dean on viola
2.30pm Sunday, November 21
Youthful Masters (Mozart, Kats-Chernin and Schubert)
5
To win the double-passes to each of these concerts,
be the first to call Adelaidean editor David Ellis on
(08) 8303 3173 and leave your name and details.
www.macquarietrio.com.au
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
Olivia’s a model student with
a taste for gastronomy
‘‘
Guy Sebastian is not
only an outstanding
performer, he is a very
intelligent musician.
’’
Why Guy’s our idol
story continued from page 1
“The event that brought his talent
to the attention of myself and the
other students in our theory class
was when, towards the end of the
first semester, I asked the students
to give a short presentation on
a piece of music of their choice,
and to talk about the way the tune
‘worked’—a reasonably ambitious,
but intentionally thoughtprovoking ask.
“Guy volunteered to go first, sat at
the grand piano, and proceeded to
sing a tune by NSync to his own
piano playing. We were all amazed—
I didn’t even know he could sing, let
alone that well.
“It wasn’t simply the beauty of his
voice that touched us all (and it really
did) but the perceptive way that he
then explained what was going on
in the music—the light and shade,
tension and release, the lyric curve
and the form. It was immediately
apparent that Guy had an innate
understanding of pop music, that
special something that allows truly
great performers to bring a song
to life.
“Every time I watched him on Idol I
saw and heard that understanding,”
Dr Carroll said.
“I gave him 100% for his
presentation—not something I do
lightly, but it was simply so far over
and above what you would expect in
that sort of situation that I had no
choice, I’m happy to say.
Professor Bodman Rae said the
Certificate IV program in Music
Technology was an interesting choice
for a student who would go on to win
the hearts of millions of Australians.
“This is a program with strong
vocational relevance for budding
singer-songwriters—because these
days popular songs tend to be
composed (and often performed)
with the aid of computers and soundsynthesis equipment,” he said.
“Not long after that the Idol roller
coaster started and we lost touch
(although he asked one of the
other students to thank me for the
mark). But we, the whole class, still
remember that day.”
The Dean of the Elder School of
Music, Professor Charles Bodman
Rae, said he and many others at
the university were proud of Guy’s
achievement.
“We hope that Guy will continue
to build on the inclinations he has
already shown and perhaps write his
own material. He has all the talents
to do so and make his success a longlasting one.”
“Staff and students of the Elder
School of Music have been following
Guy Sebastian’s remarkable progress
through all the different stages of
the Australian Idol competition—and
barracking for him,” Professor
Bodman Rae said.
There’s little question that Guy
thoroughly deserved to win the
Australian Idol competition, with his
combination of personality, unique
looks (go the ’fro!) and great talent.
“Guy’s undoubted charm shone
through all the stages of the
competition, even under the
harsh spotlight of ever-present TV
cameras,” Professor Bodman Rae
said.
“It is heartening to see that his
outstanding talent has been
recognised, and with such huge
media exposure. Guy Sebastian is
not only an outstanding performer,
he is a very intelligent musician. In
fact, his performances demonstrated
this,” he said.
“It is great that his talent has
been identified and that it will be
6
developed. But his achievement is
really the tip of an iceberg.
“There are many very talented
musicians around Australia—in both
the classical and popular fields—and
we are fortunate to have a lot of
them here, in Adelaide. The lesson, I
suppose, is that talents need careful
nurturing and channelling.
Olivia Stratton studying in the Barr Smith Library’s Reading Room
Photo by Ben Osborne
“Guy will undoubtedly be an
inspiration to a new generation
of talented young people who
will realise that ‘nice guys’ really
can win!”
While it is uncertain whether Guy will
continue with his studies at the Elder
School of Music now that he has shot
to national stardom, there’s little
doubt that he will always be fondly
remembered at the university.
And who knows, returning to study
someday is always an option further
down the track for Guy.
After all, Australian Idol judge and
former pop star Mark Holden began
his studies in Law at the University
of Adelaide in the 1970s, and later
graduated in 2001!
The University of Adelaide’s unique
Master of Gastronomy program
usually brings food lovers from
across the globe to South Australia.
But now, local student Olivia
Stratton is taking Adelaide to
the world.
The 22-year-old, who has also been
a professional model since 1997,
is currently in China as Australia’s
entrant in the final of the Miss
World 2003 competition.
Earlier this year, she was chosen as
Miss World Australia ahead of 31
other contestants at the national
finals held on the Sunshine Coast
in Queensland.
Fluent in German as well as
English, Olivia began her Master
of Gastronomy course earlier this
year after previously studying hotel
management courses through Le
Cordon Bleu (which also presents
the Master of Gastronomy together
with the University of Adelaide) and
the Swiss Hotel Association.
She said she had thoroughly
enjoyed the course so far, after
wanting to do it for the past
three years.
“We have world-class produce
here, and the University of Adelaide
has a world-class lecturer in
Barbara Santich.
“It’s been very demanding and
challenging, but I have loved it,”
she said.
“I have also been impressed with
the international flavour of the
course, with most students coming
from overseas. They have quite
varying career backgrounds, ages
and beliefs, and I have learnt a lot
just in my interactions with them.”
“I can see why Adelaide and
South Australia were chosen to
host this course, because it is the
gastronomic gateway to the world.
Story by David Ellis
and Ben Osborne
7
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
No comma, less comprehension
says psychology graduate
It’s easy to overlook commas
when it comes to punctuation.
They aren’t expressive like
exclamation marks or question
marks, and they don’t bring closure,
like full stops. Some people argue
that commas should be used
sparingly, if at all.
“I found that commas present an
achievable and reliable way of
assisting people’s reading ability.
They simplify the text and are a
powerful influence on how sentences
are processed.
But commas are important and need
to be utilised, according to University
of Adelaide PhD graduate Dr Ben
Grindlay, who looked at how they
affect reading performance for his
thesis.
“In direct contradiction to the school
of thought that less is best when
punctuation is concerned, I found
that strict adherence to a minimal
style of punctuation (where optional
commas are excluded) does not
necessarily equate to enhanced
reading.
Dr Grindlay, who graduated earlier
this year and is now working in
the DSTO’s Information Networks
Division, completed his PhD through
the Department of Psychology under
the supervision of Senior Lecturer Dr
Peter Delin.
He found that commas, rather than
being an unnecessary distraction,
actually aid reading—and that less
commas aren’t necessarily better.
“Punctuation is one of the most
important reading devices: after
the development of the alphabet,
it’s considered as the primary
development in the history of
writing,” he said.
“For my thesis I measured people’s
reading speed and comprehension to
find out how effective punctuation is,
and in particular how effective the
comma is.
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
Chess masters make a move
for national championship
International Grandmasters and other top chess players from Australia
and overseas will converge on Adelaide this month to compete in the
nation’s biggest chess tournament.
“Indeed such a minimalist style
could be viewed as quite limiting,
particularly in sophisticated and
aesthetic forms of writing.”
Two members of the University of
Adelaide Chess Club—Associate
Lecturer in Applied Mathematics
Robin Wedding (left) and Chess
Club president Andrew Saint, a
student in Chemical Engineering
and Science—get into the
spirit of this month’s national
championship. Robin and
Andrew are among the organisers
of the summer chess festival.
Photo by David Ellis
PhD graduate Dr Ben Grindlay
Dr Grindlay said while reading
appears to be a relatively
straightforward task, it is much more
involved than most people realise.
“For a sentence to make sense,
there has to be a combination of
those three things and the better the
reader, the quicker it all occurs.”
“For a skilled reader, reading
typically appears to be a cohesive
and immediate process—you read
the words on the page and they make
sense,” he said.
Punctuation is the main “visible
feature” which gives visual clues to
the reader as to how a sentence is to
be comprehended. For good readers
punctuation, and in particular the
comma, does make reading more
efficient.
“When you break it down, reading
is much more than that. You have
to recognise all the words, and then
process the interaction between
the words so a sentence is formed,
and then process any other visible
features of a sentence.
“What I found, in simple terms, was
that the more skilled the reader, the
more benefit they drew from having
commas and other punctuation in
the text they were reading,” he said.
“They were able to understand what
they were reading more quickly and
with less effort.
“For less-skilled readers, punctuation
is still helpful, but just not as
helpful as it is for skilled readers.
Less-skilled readers take that little
bit longer to comprehend their
sentences and so punctuation
has less impact on their ability to
read efficiently.”
Story by Ben Osborne
The tournament is part of a chess festival being
held in Adelaide during December and January.
The festival not only includes the championship
as the main event, but also an exhibition
match that will see of one of the world’s best
chess players blindfolded while playing five
simultaneous games against other players!
The 2003/2004 Lidums Adelaide University
Australian Chess Championship will be held at
the University of Adelaide from December 29
to January 10.
With prizes totalling more than $14,000, the
tournament has already drawn two Australian
Grandmasters—Australia’s top chess player
Ian Rogers (the first ever Grandmaster in the
South-East Asian region) and Darryl Johansen
—and five International Masters, including South
Australia’s top player, Mark Chapman.
MortgageReducingSpecialists
•MIAAmember
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Grandmaster Ian Rogers has not competed in a
championship in his home country for the past
six years, and this is the first time in more than
20 years that Adelaide has hosted the national
championships.
Forafreeno-obligationconsultationcontact
Shaneon81771334or0419674136
8
Adelaide won the right to host the biennial
championship following the ongoing success of
the annual University Open Chess Tournament,
organised by members of the University of
Adelaide’s Chess Club and with support from the
SA Chess Association.
The championship will be held at the North
Terrace Campus in the Eclipse and other
function rooms in the Union Building.
Other chess events will also be held around
Adelaide before, during and after the
championship.
These include the blindfold exhibition by
Grandmaster Ian Rogers in Rundle Mall, public
events at Glenelg as part of the Bay Sports
Festival, and public lectures to be held at the
University of Adelaide by Ian Rogers and
Darryl Johansen.
“We will have 200 top chess players in the
championship, plus reserves and seniors
competitions, and we’re expecting around 200
spectators from the public to see what all the
excitement of competitive chess is about,” said
9
George Howard, President of the SA Chess
Association and President of the Australian
Chess Federation.
“Adelaide is a perfect venue for a chess festival
of this nature, and the top players have been
so keen to take part that many of them are
foregoing lucrative professional games in
Europe just for this event.
“Chess has many benefits for the public,
especially children as it helps to develop their
spatial understanding and works the same
part of the brain that is involved in music and
mathematics. Chess has also proven to help
delay the onset of dementia.
“Not only that, but it’s enormous fun, as the
people of Adelaide will get a chance to see later
this month.”
For more information about the summer chess
festival, visit the Adelaide University Chess
Club website: www.unichess.org
Story by David Ellis
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
Concern over killer lung disease
levels among smokers
“More than half a million Australians
are estimated to have moderate to
severe disease and this is expected to
increase significantly with the aging
population and continuing high rates
of smoking.
A new model for
the diagnosis and
management of
chronic lung disease
as a result of smoking
is needed for general
practitioners, according
to a University of
Adelaide academic.
Professor Justin Beilby, Head of the
university’s Department of General
Practice, was responding to recent
figures showing a significant underdiagnosis of Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among
smokers and ex-smokers.
The Australian Lung Foundation in
partnership with the Department
of General Practice has found
that one in four smokers and exsmokers suffer from early COPD,
raising concerns about the underreporting of this disease, which can
significantly affect the quality of
“Obviously, encouraging smoking
cessation among patients is the first
step to reduce the incidence
of COPD.
“However, if COPD is diagnosed,
appropriate drug therapy and
pulmonary rehabilitation can
significantly improve patient quality
of life and future management of the
condition,” he said.
sufferers’ lives and lead to death.
effective way to confirm the presence
of airflow limitation.”
Professor Beilby said the results
were concerning.
Professor Beilby said the seriousness
of COPD and the need for better
diagnosis and management should
not be underestimated.
“Greater awareness of COPD is
needed in general practice,” he said.
“One of the biggest challenges will
be to create a model where GPs can
efficiently use spirometry testing
[a lung function test]—the only
“In Australia, COPD is the fourth
leading cause of death in men and
sixth in women,” he said.
More information about
Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease can be
found at the Australian Lung
Foundation website:
www.alf.org.au
World-class drug and alcohol
research centre opens
Adelaide is to become the leading site for the coordination
of drug and alcohol research and training in the Asia-Pacific.
A new World Health Organization (WHO)
Collaborating Centre for Research in Treatment
of Drug and Alcohol Problems has been opened
at the University of Adelaide.
in research, health care delivery and policy
development. He has acted as a consultant to
the WHO and the United Nations Drug Control
Program.
The WHO Centre is a joint effort between the
University of Adelaide and South Australia’s
Drug and Alcohol Services Council (DASC).
The Director of the new WHO Collaborating
Centre is Associate Professor Robert Ali, who
is also Director of Clinical Policy and Research
for DASC.
The Chairperson of the National Expert
Committee on Illicit Drugs, Associate Professor
Ali is an expert on the health implications of
cannabis use and has been extensively involved
in the implementation and management
of needle exchange programs and the
establishment of state-wide public and private
methadone programs.
Associate Professor Ali has been involved in
numerous national and international forums on
substance use and has an extensive background
The launch of the new WHO Collaborating
Centre was conducted by South Australian
Health Minister Lea Stevens.
“This is a very exciting development which will
make Adelaide a national and international focus
in the field,” Ms Stevens said.
“The new centre is the first in Australia to
develop culturally specific programs that can be
adapted for overseas. They are already working
in partnership with service providers from
Indonesia, Thailand and China to develop new
programs.
“Having this facility in Adelaide means we’ll be
a drawcard for recruiting and retaining the best
drug and alcohol workers, as well as exporting
our knowledge overseas.
“It also means more effective and timely
services for those dealing with a substance
abuse problem.”
Alcohol and drug workers and their clients
would benefit from research trials and the
implementation of advances in treatment, Ms
Stevens said.
$11 million boost for medical research
The University of Adelaide has again received major national recognition
for the quality of its research, this time for medical science and dentistry.
Thirty-one new grants have been
awarded to the university by
the National Health and Medical
Research Council (NHMRC), with
funding in excess of $11 million.
This includes major research
projects that have the potential to
make a significant impact on the
future health and wellbeing of the
community, as well as Fellowships
and Career Development grants
awarded to key staff.
The total NHMRC funding announced
is $11,033,625 over three years.
Among the projects funded are:
10
• $682,500 over three years for
a major national survey of adult
oral health (Dental Statistics &
Research Unit)
“This latest announcement is an
extremely positive one for the
University of Adelaide and the wider
community,” said the Deputy ViceChancellor (Research), Professor
Edwina Cornish.
• $498,250 over three years for
a study into stem cell function
(School of Molecular & Biomedical
Science)
• $556,750 over three years for
research into systematic asthma
care (Department of General
Practice)
When added to the recent
announcement of $10.7 million in
funding from the Australian Research
Council, “Adelaide continues to show
that it is widely recognised as a
national leader in quality research”.
• $455,250 over three years to study
factors involved in prostate cancer
(Department of Medicine)
“Importantly, the projects funded
from the NHMRC can have a direct
impact on many people’s lives
11
because they aim to improve our
understanding of health and disease,
and the ways in which disease can be
treated or prevented.
“Adelaide already has a strong
reputation for research and
innovation in the medical, dental and
biomedical fields, and that reputation
will continue to grow with this new
funding,” Professor Cornish said.
The projects funded in the latest
NHMRC round have been awarded to
researchers in the Faculty of Health
Sciences and the Faculty of Sciences,
and their research partners.
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
Top teachers recognised
with awards for excellence
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Wheat crop has added health benefits
Wheat, a major Australian crop,
may benefit our health even more
when supplemented with selenium.
“Selenium is an essential
micronutrient for human and animal
health with antioxidant, anti-viral and
anti-cancer effects,” said Graham
Lyons, a PhD student from the
University of Adelaide’s School of
Agriculture and Wine.
This year’s Stephen Cole the Elder Prizes for Excellence in
Teaching have gone to two academics in diverse fields.
Dr Samer Akkach is a Senior Lecturer with the
School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture
and Urban Design, and is also the Founding
Director of the Centre for Asian and Middle
Eastern Architecture.
Mr Lyons is investigating the
importance of selenium in
plant growth and development,
and methods of increasing its
concentration in wheat grain.
Dr Anna Chur-Hansen is a Senior Lecturer in the
Department of Psychiatry at the Royal Adelaide
Hospital.
Levels of soil selenium vary in
distribution and availability to plants
on a world-wide scale. Seleniumdeficient soils are widespread in
Siberia and north-east to south
central China, and in New Zealand.
Prior to selenium fertilisation of
crops from 1984, soils in Finland
were also deficient.
g Dr Sammer Akkach
A talented artist and designer, Dr Akkach fell
into studying architecture by virtue of his
school marks in native Damascus, Syria. His
love for teaching and assisting students master
the subject later took precedence over private
practice and he now says he would not have it
any other way.
Dr Anna Chur-Hansen
and Dr Samer Akkach
represent two of the
very best among the
University of Adelaide’s
many fine academic
teaching staff
Photo by
Howard Salkow
Although fully recovered from his first
“frightening” encounter in a packed lecture
theatre and “that awful dry-mouth sensation”,
he has never forgotten the experience of some
10 years ago.
“It was a daunting feeling and one you have to
experience to fully understand. But it stood me
in good stead and over the past 10 years I have
improved the content, found new ways to make
lectures enjoyable and ensured accessibility to
my students,” he said.
Such is his popularity, a final lecture once ended
in resounding applause from the class.
“I strive for excellence and try to maintain the
highest standard.
“But more importantly, I encourage the students
to engage themselves. I advise the first-year
students that innocence is valuable as is their
first expression. They respect this and it
encourages them to challenge me,” said Dr
Akkach, who firmly believes there is no such
thing as a dumb question.
Before turning to full-time academia, Dr Akkach
practiced as an architect in Syria, Saudi Arabia,
Sydney and Adelaide. In 1995 he began work on
the design and construction of his residence.
“In this project I attempted to explore the limits
of expressing one’s own cultural identity in a
foreign context.
“The design draws on the tension between
longing and belonging and the emerging identity
in the search for meaning. The design and its
theme were the focus of an honours research
project, several model-making and graphic
communication exercises, and has continued to
attract students’ attention,” he said.
Additionally, she is currently consolidating her
clinical skills with a placement at the university’s
Counselling Centre. Thus, teaching is the basis
of her academic role, her research and her
professional practice.
g Dr Anna Chur-Hansen
“I have never forgotten what it’s like to be a
student and as a lecturer I try put myself in their
shoes and do my best to meet their needs,” Dr
Chur-Hansen said.
Dr Chur-Hansen is a psychologist who has
worked in the university’s Department of
Psychiatry since 1987, after beginning her
teaching career two years earlier in the
Department of Psychology, where she was a
demonstrator for practical classes.
“It is easy to forget how daunting it is to be at
university, and I am cognizant that students need
support and a friendly and approachable face.
It is entirely possible to feel anonymous and
isolated at an institution like this, and that has a
negative impact on learning, in my view.
Interested in seeing things from multiple
perspectives, Dr Chur-Hansen has made
teaching part of her research. In fact the title
of her PhD thesis was “An investigation of the
English language proficiency and academic and
clinical performance of University of Adelaide
medical school undergraduates”, and she has
published a number of papers in the area of
medical education.
“Besides making myself accessible, I subscribe
to formative assessment when it comes to
marking papers. I aim to talk to students on a
one-to-one basis about their work, and provide
them with guidance about how they might
improve. Students need to understand why
they received a certain mark and where their
strengths and weaknesses lie,” she said.
12
Story by Howard Salkow
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
In Australia, areas at risk of selenium
deficiency include the east coastal
regions of Queensland and New
South Wales, south west coast of
Western Australia, Tasmania, South
Australia’s Mount Lofty Ranges and
Kangaroo Island.
In regions where total soil selenium
levels appear adequate, selenium
may be unavailable to plants
because of insoluble compounds
forming between it and other soil
components.
“Reduction in cancer prevention
requires a supra-nutritional selenium
intake, but in some regions selenium
is declining in the food chain, and
new strategies are required to
increase its intake,” said Mr Lyons.
To improve accumulation of selenium
in plants, use of high selenium
fertilisers, or a plant breeding
approach could be utilised. Although
application of fertiliser has been
shown to improve soil selenium
levels, breeding a high selenium
wheat will facilitate retention of this
trait, generation after generation.
This self-sustainable approach is
preferable to the continual purchase
of selenium-containing fertilisers.
The overall benefits for consumers
in Australia and overseas were
potentially great, Mr Lyons said.
“Increasing the selenium content
of wheat represents a food systems
approach that would increase
population intake, with consequent
likely improvement in public health
and health cost savings.”
Story by Dr Stephanie Agius
PhD student Graham Lyons inspects a selenium-bearing wheat crop
Prominent Australian winemaker honoured
An oenologist who has played a major role in the development of
Australia’s burgeoning wine industry is the winner of the 2003 Award
of Merit from the Roseworthy Old Collegians’ Association (ROCA).
Philip Laffer was presented with his award by
ROCA president Wilf Bowen at the association’s
annual dinner last month.
Mr Laffer, the chief winemaker with the OrlandoWyndham group, graduated from Roseworthy in
1961 with a Diploma of Agriculture then studied
Oenology, graduating in 1963.
“Phil Laffer’s contribution has impacted across
the whole wine industry—from vineyard practices
and wine making procedures to quality standards,
quality control and marketing,” Mr Bowen said.
“He recognised the importance of the market
chain sooner than most and has devoted
substantial time into the coordination of grape
production and market practices which meet
consumer expectation.
“Phil has shuttled between Australia and North
America, Japan and Europe, enhancing and
expanding Australia’s wine export drive.
“One of the major results of this is that the
Jacob’s Creek range is the biggest selling
Australian wine label in the world.”
13
Mr Bowen said Mr Laffer’s energies and
expertise had also been utilised by many
wine industry groups including research
organisations, industry representation groups
and government advisory groups.
At all times his focus has been on achieving
practical outcomes to benefit the wine industry.
“Phil is a significant face for the Australian
wine industry at home and abroad,” Mr Bowen
said, “and in 2002 he was named Australia’s
Winemaker of the Year.
“His outstanding achievements reflect the high
standard maintained over the years by fellow
alumni who have been awarded ROCA’s highest
honour.”
Philip’s father, Len Laffer, (BAgSc 1934) was the
recipient of the ROCA Award of Merit in 1976.
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
Stem cell researcher wins Young
Investigator of the Year
A young researcher whose work may
eventually help to save lives of people
with fatal blood disorders—such as
leukemia—has become the 2003
Young Investigator of the Year.
The award is a joint initiative of the Women’s &
Children’s Hospital and the University of Adelaide’s
Faculty of Health Sciences. It recognises the best
in science and science communication among
young researchers studying women’s, children’s or
young people’s health.
His research looks at a novel way of producing
stem cells, by using blood from umbilical cords.
“Blood from umbilical cords is an excellent source
of blood stem cells, which can be used in lifesaving transplantation for small children with
leukemia or inherited diseases,” Jonathan said.
His research has found that a special family of
proteins is produced by these cord blood stem
cells, which helps the stem cells to grow in culture.
This means that cord blood stem cells could
eventually be harvested in large quantities in a
laboratory environment.
“This research will increase our understanding
of blood cell production and is important for
development of therapies using cord blood,”
he said.
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
Hot flowers –
sexy rewards
Floral temperatures are heating
up beetles in more ways than one
according to new research at the
University of Adelaide.
Jonathon Hutton from the Child Health Research
Institute is the winner of this year’s Young
Investigator Award.
Jonathan’s work has earned him first prize of
$1000 plus the BioInnovation SA Conference Prize
of $1500.
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Jonathon Hutton
speaking at the
YIA final
Photo by
David Ellis
Jonathan said his participation in the Young
Investigator Award, which involved rigorous
judging of the quality of his science plus scrutiny
by a panel of media judges, had been “very
exciting”.
“It’s a great experience [for the finalists] to present
our work in this context,” he said, referring to the
final stage: the presentation of the finalists’ work to
the public and the media judges.
“It’s important to be able to communicate our
research to the general public. I think it’s very
important to communicate it effectively so that
people understand what our science is all about
and how it can potentially impact on their lives.”
The runners up for this year’s award were John
Bromfield and Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri, both
from the University of Adelaide’s Department of
Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
The 2003 Young Investigator Award is
sponsored by: WCH Foundation (silver
sponsor), University of Adelaide, Women’s
and Children’s Hospital, BioInnovation SA
and Collison & Co (bronze sponsors), Child
Health Research Institute, Bone Growth
Foundation and Invitrogen life technologies
(sponsors), and Channel 9 (media sponsor).
www.health.adelaide.edu.au/yia2003/
Professor Roger Seymour, from the
School of Earth & Environmental
Sciences, has investigated how
raised floral temperatures in arum
lilies not only attracts beetles
into the floral chamber but also
enables a frenzied period of
feeding and mating.
Heat generated by these arum lilies
causes odiferous compounds to
be released into the air attracting
insect pollinators, but there has
been no explanation why heating
continues while the insect remains
inside the lily overnight, instead of
during the attraction period alone.
The lily creates a warm
microclimate for the beetles that
facilitates their activity at what
is believed to be a fraction of the
energy cost that would be required
outside of the flower.
“Many insects require a raised body
temperature for activity which they
achieve by metabolically producing
their own heat.
Professor Seymour’s research
into this area has resulted in
yet another of his papers being
published in the journal Nature.
“Self-heating flowers occur
in several diverse families of
primitive flowering plants in
which female parts are pollinated
first after which pollen is shed,”
Professor Seymour said.
“Partly because insects are small,
increases in metabolic rate can be
enormous, for example, it increases
up to 16-fold in terrestrially active
beetles.”
A warm floral chamber may be
considered an energy reward for
insect pollinators, allowing feeding
and mating at a reduced energy
cost to the insect, he said.
Beetles get to work inside the hot and friendly environment of an arum lily
Photo courtesy of Professor Roger Seymour
Story by Dr Stephanie Agius
PUBLIC FORUM
Take home an adventure!
6:00pm – 7:30pm, Monday 8 December
Stamford Plaza, 150 North Terrace
New lift to offer
better access
A new external lift will be
constructed next year, to improve
access between the upper and
lower levels of the North Terrace
Campus.
The lift will be located on the
eastern side of the Plaza Building,
as a freestanding structure with
bridges across to the Plaza and
University Club buildings.
Looking for an early present before Christmas?
Sponsored by
The Adelaidean has three copies
of the latest book by Australian
adventurer Ben Kozel to give away.
The lift car and shaft will be
glazed, allowing views of the
campus.
Construction is expected to begin
early in 2004, and will take about
five months to complete.
For more information call
Trevor Dunne from Campus
Development on (08) 8303 4673.
14
Five Months In A Leaky Boat is the
second book by Kozel (a Science
graduate from the University of
Adelaide), detailing his trek down the
Yenisey River to the Arctic Ocean.
THE NEIGHBOURS PROGRAM Getting To Know Our Neighbours
Leaders of major community organisations in Australia and Indonesia
discuss opportunities and challenges for strengthening interaction
and understanding. Speakers include the Dunstan Fellows for 2003,
Professor Julian Disney AO, University of New South Wales, Sharan
Burrow, President ACTU, Don Henry, Executive Director, Australian
Conservation Foundation and Louise Sylvan, Former Chief Executive
Officer, Australian Consumers Association.
Cost: $10. Free for concession card holders.
Bookings essential due to limited seating.
A thrilling and fascinating read
about lands rarely seen by Western
eyes, Five Months In A Leaky Boat
is published by Pan Macmillan and
retails for $30.
To win one of three free copies, be
among the first to call Adelaidean
editor David Ellis on (08) 8303 3173
and leave your name and details.
Phone Josie
on 8303 3364
15
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
Love of sport vaults Jennifer
to success
Adelaide link brings benefits
to Indonesian schools
An Adelaide student is already
making a name for herself as a
global achiever.
Children in Indonesia are gaining from a program that aims
to improve school management and basic education.
Twenty-year-old Commerce and
Law student Jennifer Lovell has
added another major achievement
to an already impressive resume
by being named South Australian
CA Global Achiever by the Institute
of Chartered Accountants in
Australia (ICAA).
Ms Lovell, who is in the final year
of her Commerce degree and
in second year Law, will receive
two weeks paid work experience
with UK-based BDO Chartered
Accountants and Advisers, and will
meet with international chartered
accountants to experience life as
a leading business adviser. She is
expected to leave in February for
the UK.
“This is not only a tremendous
honour, but I am also indebted to
the ICAA for affording such an
opportunity,” Ms Lovell said.
“The experience will be invaluable
and I’m sure it will stand me in
good stead in my career.”
Funded by a loan from the Asian Development
Bank to the Government of Indonesia, the
project, known as the Decentralized Basic
Education Project (DBEP), aims to improve poor
children’s access to quality basic education.
CA Global Achiever winners are
selected on a combination of
academic results, extra curricular
activities and two rounds of
interviews, with judges from the
ICAA and participating chartered
accounting organisations.
A talented sportswoman, Ms Lovell
excelled as a pole-vaulter while at
Seymour College. In 1998, she
was the Australian Under-16 record
holder and the following year won
selection to the Australian Under18 athletics team. She finished
ninth in the final of the World Youth
Games in 1999.
One of those playing a major role in the
implementation of the project has been
Associate Professor Bob Cannon, former
Director of the University of Adelaide’s Advisory
Centre for University Education (now the
Learning & Teaching Development Unit) and
Visiting Associate Professor in International
Education.
Commerce/Law student Jennifer Lovell
Photo by Howard Salkow
awarded an Australian Sports Medal
for her contribution and excellence
to athletics.
In 1998-2000 she was a South
Australian Sports Institute
scholarship holder and in 2000 was
“My love for sport provided an
ideal platform from which to grow
and expand my horizons. It is
an excellent way to grow up and
has contributed to my disciplined
outlook on life,” she said.
Story by Howard Salkow
The Law School’s Internship
Program continues to grow, and
next year seven law students will
undertake human rights internships
both nationally and internationally.
Elise Edson is heading to the United
Nations High Commission for
Refugees (UNHCR) in Nepal, Yasmine
Ahmed and Hannah Tonkin are going
to the International Criminal Tribunal
in the Hague, Mary Hackett-Jones
and Sarah Attar are both going to
UNHCR in Cairo, and Jaymie-Louise
MacIntyre to UNHCR in Canberra.
DBEP is regarded as a ‘flagship’ project by the
government, Dr Cannon said.
The project supports poor schools and
communities in the Provinces of Bali, and in
Nusa Tengarra Barat (NTB) of which the largest
islands are Lombok and Sumbawa.
“There is a strong possibility that DBEP will be
extended into other poor areas and intensified
in Bali and NTB to permit the participation of
more poor schools, some of which have emerged
as a direct flow-on effect of the Bali bombings
tragedy,” Dr Cannon said.
News in Brief
Human rights internships
Dr Cannon is the Australian Team Leader for
consulting services being delivered by IDP
Education Australia and associated firms to the
DBEP scheme.
The human rights internships
offer an amazing, rewarding and
challenging experience for Adelaide’s
law students.
issues, the political dynamics of
the negotiating environment and
the opportunities and challenges
presented to businesses by the
globalised economy.
Trade course info evening
The course is being offered by the
University’s Institute for International
Business, Economics and Law. To
reserve a place at the information
session, phone (08) 8303 6944.
An information session about
the University of Adelaide’s
new Professional Certificate in
International Trade will be held at
5.15pm on Monday, December 8.
AFUW grants benefit students
To be launched in March next
year, the Professional Certificate
will provide students with a
practical understanding of current
international trade and investment
The Australian Federation of
University Women – SA Inc. Trust
Fund has awarded bursaries and
grants totalling more than $23,000 to
16
University of Adelaide students this
year.
The AFUW is a not-for-profit
organisation that raises money by
hiring graduation gowns and hoods.
The money raised goes back into
education in the form of grants to
support talented students.
The majority of this year’s awards
include support for postgraduate
students undertaking degrees by
research and coursework in a
range of fields, with other awards
for talented undergrad students in
Dentistry and Maths & Computer
Science.
Dr Cannon, who is based in the Ministry of
National Education in Jakarta, leads a team of
120 Indonesian consultants and support staff,
most of whom are located in eight Districts in
Bali and NTB.
These field workers help school staff and local
communities to prepare a School Development
Plan, which helps to determine priorities
and needs in areas such as rehabilitation of
buildings and infrastructure, and development
of scholarships to support the poorest children.
The second part of their work is to help schools
to implement their plans and to monitor
progress and outcomes.
More than 3100 state, Islamic and private
primary and junior secondary schools are
expected to have participated in DBEP by the
time all phases of the project are completed.
Dr Cannon said that to be able to work on such
a large and nationally significant project was
a wonderful late-career opportunity that has
permitted the use of all his previous learning
and experience across education sectors
in Indonesia: administration, cross-cultural
communication and quality improvement
processes. It has also presented challenges and
significant professional rewards.
“One of these rewards is witnessing first
hand the very positive changes in energy and
commitment among the Indonesian professional
classes now released from the stifling top-down
direction and controls that typified the ‘New
Order’ regime of former President Suharto,”
he said.
17
Some of the warmth and colour in an Islamic primary
school in Mataram, Lombok, on a Friday morning, “when
children come to school decked out in their best attire”,
says Associate Professor Bob Cannon
“Another reward is to simply visit schools and
mix with the children and teachers who are
always overwhelming in the genuine warmth of
their welcome. As a teacher, I’m often alarmed
by the cheering and disruption to classes that
usually accompanies a school visit. However, it’s
a marvellous antidote to the stresses of living in
Jakarta with its congestion, pollution and everpresent threat of terrorist attack.”
Dr Cannon will return to Adelaide next year
when the first phase of his inputs to DBEP
comes to an end. He plans to return to
Indonesia at regular intervals over the coming
four years to provide further leadership and
supervision to the project.
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
Alumni News
New alumni director
to build relationships
New York City launch for
US alumni network!
The inaugural gathering of University of
Adelaide alumni and friends based in the
United States of America was held last
month in New York City.
Thirty years on, the mystery solved
Some secrets are never revealed,
but the mystery of how an FJ Holden
became suspended underneath the
University Footbridge is finally out after
more than 30 years.
Graduates from 1972 and 1973
gathered last month at the Adelaide
Festival Centre to rekindle
friendships and to catch up on 30
years since graduating from the
University of Adelaide.
Anne Gribbin is excited and passionate
about her new job.
She started as Director, Alumni,
Community Relations and
Development last month and, after
fighting off a serious bout of hay
fever in her first week in Adelaide,
is ready to meet the demands her
complex and important role brings.
“I see my role as an integrated one
which has the scope to build on the
existing relationships and goodwill
the university has built up, and
also to develop new partnerships
with individuals, business and the
community,” she said.
“I’m really looking forward to
being part of, and contributing to, a
university community which has a
special uniqueness,” she said.
“To do that I will firstly have to listen
to and observe the culture, traditions
and the Adelaide way of doing things.
It’s also vital to understand the
needs of the university, and also the
needs and expectations of the entire
university community.”
“The University of Adelaide is
grounded in tradition, heritage and
excellence in a variety of disciplines,
yet it uses such qualities to challenge
existing ideas and to progress.”
Ms Gribbin has a background
in senior management roles in
university, corporate and not-forprofit organisations throughout
Australia.
Her last position was based in
Rockhampton as Chief Executive of
the Central Queensland Foundation,
and she has also worked for the
Smorgon Family, the Alfred Hospital
and the St James Ethics Centre.
John Brady and Cathie Maywald
Ken Allen and Professor James McWha
The event was hosted by ViceChancellor Professor James
McWha and the Australian
Consul-General in New York,
the Honourable Kenneth Allen,
an Economics graduate of the
University of Adelaide.
and friends and I look forward
to future events in the region,”
Professor McWha said after
attending the reception.
Held at the Australian Consulate,
this highly successful event
brought together graduates and
friends as well as representatives
from the university’s study
abroad programs.
“I am greatly encouraged by the
enthusiasm of our graduates
“The success of this inaugural
gathering is encouraging for the
potential of establishing a formal
alumni chapter in the USA.”
For more information about this
event, or other activities held by
the University of Adelaide alumni
network in the United States,
please email Benjamin Leske:
[email protected]
Professor Fred McDougall provided
the welcoming address on behalf
of the Vice-Chancellor, drawing
comparisons between the university
back in the early 1970s and today,
and highlighting some of the recent
achievements of staff and students.
A powerpoint presentation, “The
Moon, the Mini and the Mod Squad”,
provided a visual recollection of
student life at the University of
Adelaide from 1969-73. Following
the presentation, David Gray (BE
1972) entertained graduates and
guests by revealing the 30-year secret
of how an FJ Holden was suspended
under the University Footbridge.
“Under cover of the early hours
of one Friday morning, a group of
volunteers pushed the FJ Holden
under the bridge next to the water
on the southern bank of the Torrens,”
David told the Adelaidean after
the reunion.
“The car was lifted using beams
and lifting gear attached to a small
hand-operated crane located on the
footbridge.
“The crane, with car attached, was
then pushed out to the centre of the
bridge. The car was firmly secured
to the bridge using a large chain.
“The crane and volunteers then
quickly disappeared into the night
and were never found.”
The student prank wasn’t the only
talking point at the reunion, with
many graduates having plenty to
catch up on.
Don’t try this at home: the FJ Holden suspended from the University Footbridge
Photo reproduced from a copy of Hysteresis 1971, the publication of the
Adelaide University Engineering Society
Graduates returning to Adelaide for
the reunion included Carolyn Wild
(BE Hons 1973) who travelled from
Ottawa, Canada, Roger Jeffery (BSc
1972, BE 1973) from Perth, Helen
Bannister (BA Hons 1973) from
Victoria, Ruth Medd (BSc 1971) from
New South Wales, Luise Dunstan
(BSc 1973) from Queensland and
Neil Lawson (BEc 1972) also from
Queensland, who was the winner
of a men’s Seiko Watch generously
donated by Grahams Jewellers.
Left: David Gray (BE 1972) and Cheryl Gray
enjoying the live entertainment
Below: Deborah Marlin (winner of the pearl
pendant donated by Grahams Jewellers),
Rosemary Osman (BSc Hons 1973), and
Ruth Medd (BSc 1971)
Outside of her professional career,
Ms Gribbin has interests in health
and fitness, modern art, most types
of music, motor sports and following
Melbourne in the AFL.
This era produced many prominent
graduates including NASA astronaut
Dr Andy Thomas, international law
expert Professor James Crawford,
Senator Nick Bolkus, several
current State Ministers including
the Hon. Paul Holloway, Minister
for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
and Minister for Mineral Resources
“I’m an active person and I think that
is reflected in the way I do my job,”
she said. “I intend very much to
be active both within the university
community and also the broader
community.”
Story by Ben Osborne
18
19
Development, and the first woman
to graduate in Australia as an
oenologist, prominent winemaker
Pamela Dunsford.
A reunion booklet prepared for
the event included biographies of
1972 and 1973 graduates including
those who were not able to attend
on the evening. The biographies
highlight professional and personal
achievements and their memories of
university days.
The 30 Year Reunion for
graduates of 1974 will be held
in September 2004. For further
information on the university’s
Reunion Program please
contact Kim McBride on
+61 8 8303 3196 or email:
[email protected]
Adelaidean News from the University of Adelaide
Volume 12 Number 11 December 2003
Sport
Mitchell’s study going swimmingly
Mitchell Bacon’s life is much like the swimming
event he specialises in: a medley.
Students get the Blues
Mitchell Bacon headlines a group of student
athletes recently recognised in the latest round
of Adelaide University Sports Association
honours, as one of six athletes to receive a Don
Stranks and Bob Heddle Scholarship.
The other recipients were:
Richard McGeachy
(Agricultural Science) – rifle shooting
The State’s top-ranked male
swimmer and Adelaide
student, Mitchell Bacon
Photo by Ben Osborne
An Australian squad member and the top-ranked
male swimmer in the State, Mitchell has to juggle
his time between studying at the University of
Adelaide, an intensive swimming regime and his
part-time job.
The 20-year-old is partway through completing his
Bachelor of Environmental Science, and says that
his study comes first.
“I am really enjoying my study and while swimming
is important to me now, I know that studying at
Adelaide will set me up for the rest of my life,”
he said.
“I’m hoping to finish off my degree in a couple of
years’ time and then go on to do Honours and even
a PhD in Environmental Science.”
Mitchell spends approximately 30 hours a week
training, around which he fits in his study and parttime job with a local engineering firm.
His next major competition will be the Olympic
trials in March, at which he will compete in the
200m and 400m individual medley in a bid to make
the Australian team that will compete in Athens.
“You need to finish in the top two of an event at
trials to be selected in the team, so if I’m good
enough to do that then the Olympics will be my
main focus in 2004,” he said.
“And if I don’t, then I will be able to throw myself
into my study—either way, I’ll be active!”
Story by Ben Osborne
20
Brad Fitzgerald
(Environmental Science) – hockey
James Loechel
(Commerce and Law) – football
Adrian Oest
(Mechatronic Engineering) – rowing
Adelaide Boylan
(International Studies and Law) – rowing
Oest also received one of five prestigious
University Blues – given for sporting prowess
at a national level or beyond – which were
awarded last month.
The other Blues recipients were:
Steven Perry
(Science) – rowing
David Gooding
(Spatial Information Science) – gymnastics
Sion Harman
(Health Sciences) – taekwondo
Andrew Morris
(Medicine) – waterskiing